Stand-off ladder bracket



Jan. 8, 1963 J. PETERS 3,072,218

STAND-OFF LADDER BRACKET Filed April 27, 1960 530 62 32 26 62 v 36 26 f2 l4- l6 2 John Pefens INVENTOR.

BY @Q'KAQQQM United States atent 3,072,218 Patented Jan. 8, 1963 free 3,072,218 STAND-OFF LADDER BRACKET John Peters, 2705 SE. Brooklyn St., Portland, Oreg. Filed Apr. 27, 1960, Ser. No. 25,038 4 Claims. (Cl. 182-214) This invention relates to ladder supports, and has for its primary objectives the provision of a bracket for holding a ladder a spaced distance from a structural support, the bracket being capable of secure attachment to a ladder for maximum stability, and being removable therefrom for convenient storage, the bracket also being adapted for holding a ladder a spaced distance from various types and configurations of structural supports.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this invention will appear from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of a ladder having mounted thereon a stand-off bracket embodying the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of the ladder and bracket shown in FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2 and illustrating a form of interconnection for the adjustable components of the ladder bracket;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top view of the ladder and bracket as viewed from the top in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top view illustrating a mothfied form of ladder bracket adapted to support a ladder a spaced distance from a corner structure; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of a further modified form of ladder bracket for holding a ladder a spaced distance from an inclined support such as a roof.

The ladder support of the present invention 18 employed to advantage by painters, sheet metal workers, roofers, bricklayers and similar craftsmen where it is desired to support a ladder in spaced relation to a supporting structure in order to provide working space or to prevent damage to the structural support.

In the drawing, there is illustrated a conventional form of ladder construction in which a pair of laterally spaced, elongated side pieces 10, 12 are interconnected at longitudinally spaced intervals by transverse rungs i4, 16. Although it is conventional practice to rest the upper ends of the side pieces against a supporting structure when using the ladder, the bracket of the present invention affords stable suport of the ladder a spaced distance from such structural support, thus providing the advantages described hereinbefore.

The stand-01f ladder bracket of this invention includes a transverse base member 18 which, in the embodiment illustrated, comprises an elongated piece of angle iron. The base member is longer than the lateral dimension of the ladder, so that it may abut the side pieces of the ladder.

Secured to the base member intermediate the ends thereof and projecting substantially perpendicular thereto in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the ladderabutting back surface of the base member, are a pair of supporting hook members 20, 22. The hook portions 2 3', 22' thereof are proportioned to straddle a rung 14 of the ladder. It is to be noted that the pair of hook members are spaced apart a distance substantially less than the spacing between the lateral side pieces of the ladder, and

that the base member is longer than the width of the ladder. This arrangement accommodates use of the ladder bracket on ladders of various widths.

Also secured to the base member and extending from the lateral ends thereof in a direction substantially normal to the back surface of the base member, are a pair of supporting legs 24, 26. In the embodiment illustrated, each of these legs and one of the hook members are formed from a single length of pipe. Thus, one end section of each pipe forms the leg member and the opposite end section of the pipe forms the associated hook member. The intermediate section of each pipe is secured to the base member, as by welding.

The base member 18 may be omitted by interconnecting the legs 24, 26 or hook members 20, 22 with a structural brace and utilizing the intermediate sections of the pipes as abutments for the side pieces of the ladder.

In the preferred construction of the bracket as illustrated in the drawing, the pipe sections forming the leg members 24, 26 accommodate the pipe or rod extensions 28, 30 respectively. These extensions are slidable telescopically within the pipe sections, thus forming longitudinally adjustable legs for the bracket by which to adjust the spacing between a ladder and a supporting structure.

Although various forms of securing means may be employed to secure the telescoping leg sections together, the means best illustrated in FIG. 3 comprises a bolt 32 which is passed through registering openings in the leg sections and secured with a wing nut 34. that one of the leg sections is provided with a transverse opening and the other leg section is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse openings for registration with the first named opening. This means of attachment also insures against relative axial rotation of the leg sections, for maximum stability of the bracket.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the outer end of each leg extension is provided with a friction foot element 36, such as the rubber tip. These are adapted to rest against the supporting structure and to prevent slipping of the ladder bracket and marring of the supporting structure.

Alternatively, the extensions 28, 30 may be interconnected by an elongated transverse foot member, preferably covered with a friction material, to provide a wide surface-engaging base.

The assembly of the base member, hook members and leg members preferably is attached releasably to the ladder for convenience in transporting the ladder from place to place. In the embodiment illustrated, such releasable attachment is provided by the clamp rod 38. The lower end portion of the clamp rod is bent to form a hook 40 which engages under the ladder rung 16 immediately below the rung 14 supporting the hook members 26, 22. The opposite end of the clamp rod extends freely through an opening in the base member 18 and is threaded to receive the wing nut 42 which, when drawn toward the hook end of the clamp rod, draws the base member firmly into abutment with the side pieces of the ladder. A coil spring 42' may be interposed between the base member 18 and wing nut 42 on the rod 38 to accommodate rapid attachment and detachment of the hook 40 by permitting the hook to be pulled downward sulficiently to clear the rung 16. The spaced hook members 20, 22 and book 40 provide a three-point attachment for the bracket for maximum stability.

In the modification illustrated in FIG. 5, the outer end portions 44 of the leg extensions 46 are bent inward, preferably on the plane extending through the leg extensions and preferably along intersecting lines 48 which form an included angle of approximately This arrangement thus accommodates use of the bracket for straddling a corner of a building or other supporting structure. These inwardly bent portions preferably are covered with resilient cushioning sleeves 5t} such as the lengths of rubber tubing illustrated, to prevent slipping of the ladder bracket and marring of the structural support.

it will be understood that the inwardly projecting por- It will be understood tions 44 may be extended to the apex of the corner and there interconnected to form a rigid single piece leg section. The separate construction illustrated is preferred, however, since it leaves the structural corner unobstructed. Additionally, the portions 44 may be bent outward, rather than inward as illustrated, along the intersecting lines. The arrangement illustrated is preferred, however, for its compactness.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the outer end of each telescoping leg extension 52 supports a hollow sleeve 54, the bore of which extends substantially normal to the transverse plane of the leg members. This bore slidably receives a secondary leg section 56 which is provided at its lower end with the friction tip 58. The secondary leg sectiOn also is provided with longitudinally spaced transverse openings adapted to register with the transverse opening in the sleeve, for reception of the locking bolt 60, as explained hereinbefore. Thus, this secondary leg extension may be adjusted vertically to accommodate support of the ladder a spaced distance from an inclined structural support, such as the roof. This modification is especially suitable for sheet metal workers in the construction and maintenance of roof gutters.

For convenience of use for painting, a notch 62 is provided adjacent each end of base member 18 to support the bail of a paint bucket.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present invention provides simplified and inexpensive but effective means by which to support a ladder a spaced distance from a variety of forms of supporting structures. The ladder bracket may be attached securely to a ladder for convenient transport, and may be detached from the ladder for storage when not in use. By attaching the bracket to the front side of a ladder, it may be used as an easel to support window screens, etc. for painting, and it may be used as a saw horse to support lumber for sawmg.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the details of construction described hereinbefore, without departing from the spirit of this invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having now described my invention and the manner in which it may be used, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A bracket for attachment to a ladder having side pieces and laterally extending rungs, comprising a base member arranged to extend laterally with respect to a ladder, said base member being longer than the lateral dimension of the ladder and arranged to abut the rear edges of the side pieces of the ladder, a pair of elongated support members each having an intermediate section secured to the base member adjacent the opposite ends of the latter, one end section of each support member extending upward from the intermediate section and having a hook at its terminal end arranged to engage a rung of the ladder above the base member, the opposite end section of each support member extending rearward from the intermediate section and forming a supporting leg, a clamp rod slidably connected to said base member and having a hook end arranged to engage under a rung of the ladder below the rung engaged by the support member hooks, and tightening means interengaged between the clamp rod and base member to draw said support member hooks and clamp rod hook together to clam said bracket on the ladder with the base member in stationary abutment against the rear edges thereof.

2. The bracket of claim 1, wherein the tightening means includes a spring interengaged between the clamp rod and base member to urge the support member hooks and clamp rod hook resiliently together.

3. The bracket of claim 1 wherein the outer end of each leg supports a leg section for adjustment in a direction substantially normal to the transverse plane of the leg.

4. The bracket of claim 1 wherein said legs include longitudinally adjustable extension members the outer end portions of which are directed obliquely inward toward the axis of the base member along intersecting lines which form an included angle of about the extension members terminating rearwardly of the intersection of said lines and said intersection of lines being rearward of the base member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 221,780 Clark Nov. 18, 1879 680,428 Carryl Aug. 13, 1901 2,177,677 Staben Oct. 31, 1939 2,327,317 Randall Aug. 17, 1943 2,439,430 Hurd Apr. 13, 1948 2,710,129 Telech June 7, 1955 2,903,086 Chubbs Sept. 8, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,193,183 France Apr. 27, 1959 

1. A BRACKET FOR ATTACHMENT TO A LADDER HAVING SIDE PIECES AND LATERALLY EXTENDING RUNGS, COMPRISING A BASE MEMBER ARRANGED TO EXTEND LATERALLY WITH RESPECT TO A LADDER, SAID BASE MEMBER BEING LONGER THAN THE LATERAL DIMENSION OF THE LADDER AND ARRANGED TO ABUT THE REAR EDGES OF THE SIDE PIECES OF THE LADDER, A PAIR OF ELONGATED SUPPORT MEMBERS EACH HAVING AN INTERMEDIATE SECTION SECURED TO THE BASE MEMBER ADJACENT THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE LATTER, ONE END SECTION OF EACH SUPPORT MEMBER EXTENDING UPWARD FROM THE INTERMEDIATE SECTION AND HAVING A HOOK AT ITS TERMINAL END ARRANGED TO ENGAGE A RUNG OF THE LADDER ABOVE THE BASE MEMBER, THE OPPOSITE END SECTION OF EACH SUPPORT MEMBER EXTENDING REARWARD FROM THE INTERMEDIATE SECTION AND FORMING A SUPPORTING LEG, A CLAMP ROD SLIDABLY CONNECTED TO SAID BASE MEMBER AND HAVING A HOOK END ARRANGED TO ENGAGE UNDER A RUNG OF THE LADDER BELOW THE RUNG ENGAGED BY THE SUPPORT MEMBER HOOKS, AND TIGHTENING MEANS INTERENGAGED BETWEEN THE CLAMP ROD AND BASE MEMBER TO DRAW SAID SUPPORT MEMBER HOOKS AND CLAMP ROD HOOK TOGETHER TO CLAMP SAID BRACKET ON THE LADDER WITH THE BASE MEMBER IN STATIONARY ABUTMENT AGAINST THE REAR EDGES THEREOF. 